UPS Access Point network expands to 100 U.S. citiesUPS confirmed in a press release that it is expanding the UPS Access Point network. UPS Access Point locations are local businesses, primarily neighborhood convenience and grocery stores, dry cleaners and delicatessens with extended evening and weekend hours. UPS currently has Access Point locations in Boston, Chicago, New York City, and the Washington DC and San Francisco metropolitan areas. Later this summer, consumers will be able to pick up or return packages at UPS Access Point locations in approximately 100 cities around the U.S. including Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Seattle, St. Louis and Tampa, Fla. By the end of 2015, UPS expects to have more than 8,000 UPS Access Point locations in the U.S. and 22,000 globally.

UPS CFO says company seeing some softening in U.S. economyUPS CFO Richard Peretz said that the company's U.S. Domestic business is on track with its revenue management and efficiency gains, however "we are seeing some softening in the economy."

UPS expanding Access Point to more than 100 U.S. citiesUPS said on its Q2 earnings conference call that it has had "very positive results" in five initial markets for UPS Access Point and that it is now accelerating the rollout of this delivery option to more than 100 U.S. cities . By year-end, the company expects to have more than 8000 locations in the U.S. and more than 22,000 globally for Access Point, which the company said provides a "convenient and secure alternative" to home delivery.

UPS sees FY15 EPS growth at higher end of 6%-12% guidance range"During the quarter, UPS continued to invest for the future by expanding capacity and launching new capabilities that provide higher value to customers. The strong momentum in our International segment is expected to continue and gives us confidence in achieving the upper end of our guidance range," said CEO David Abney. "Even though the U.S. economy appears to be growing at a slower pace, our global portfolio and performance reinforces our expectations to attain the higher-end of the guidance range," said CFO Richard Peretz. The company's guidance for FY15 EPS is $5.05-$5.30, a 6% to 12% increase over adjusted 2014 results, consensus $5.19.

UPS technical commentary ahead of earningsThe key feature dominating the long-term chart, best seen in a 5-year view, is a potential head and shoulders top. On bearish news, the neckline of the pattern at $94 could be breached which would make the pattern active. Downside potential for the pattern would be to the $75 to $74 area. Patterns are most likely to fail during earnings given the potential for new information to run counter to expectations. If the news is a bullish surprise, upside potential would be to the $103 area, just above the right shoulder of the pattern. A move to $103 or higher would void the pattern. Next resistance levels to watch would be at $109.40 and the life high and 52-week high at $114.40.

UPS July weekly volatility elevated into Q2 and outlook UPS July weekly call option implied volatility is at 24, August is at 19, September is at 15; compared to its 52-week range of 12 to 24, suggesting large near term price movement into the expected release of Q2 results on July 28.

UPS potential acquisition of Coyote could be negative, says BernsteinAfter news outlets reported that UPS was in advanced talks to buy Coyote Logistics for $1.8B, Bernstein says it is neutral on the deal. However, the firm adds that the transaction would be expensive and could derail UPS' growth if Coyote is improperly integrated. The firm keeps an Outperform rating on UPS.